Vox Pop: Locals share difficulties of life in blockaded Arakan State

By Admin 30 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
30 November 2023, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has blocked off land and water routes to Arakan State and neighbouring Chin State’s Paletwa Township since renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA) began on November 13.

People in Arakan State have run out of food, and shortages of cooking oil, fuel and basic commodities are reported in rural villages, with skyrocketing prices of goods.

DMG spoke to local residents and businessmen in Arakan State, discussing their needs and the hardships triggered by the junta’s far-reaching travel blockade.

A businessman || Sittwe

The latest fighting between the military and the Arakan Army has brought the flow of commodities to a standstill. The junta has blocked off all land and water routes to Arakan State.

There are retail and wholesale businesses. If the wholesalers are in trouble, the retailers will also have to deal with shortages and price hikes. This kind of situation can happen in Arakan State continuously.

U Tun Lwin || Resident || Kyaukphyu

Locals in Kyaukphyu cannot go fishing or do other business due to the junta’s blockading of land and water routes. Shortages of food and fuel have been reported in Kyaukphyu Township. The locals are no longer allowed to transport rice and vegetables, which are daily necessities for survival. 

The local residents in Kyaukphyu Township are struggling to make ends meet. People on the outskirts of Kyaukphyu have to eat broken rice and face livelihood hardships. This is interconnected. The junta has cut off the land and water routes to Kyaukphyu although there is no fighting in the area. The locals cannot travel freely, the economy is also deteriorating, and it can be said that both sides are getting worse.

U Aung Thaung Shwe || Former Arakan State lawmaker

Local people in Arakan State will likely face shortages of fuel and goods imported from mainland Myanmar due to the latest fighting. People in Arakan State will not suffer from food shortages. Fuels will likely be imported from foreign countries by the AA via its areas of control. People in Arakan State may face travel restrictions.

In Arakan State, the junta can only control the urban areas, so it will be difficult for local residents to travel to those areas. Locals in Arakan State will be able to travel to areas controlled by the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA). I see that the regime cannot control transportation in the long term. If you look at it politically, the regime will not be able to sustain it for a long time because this revolution is balanced on a national scale. Therefore, it is necessary for the people to cooperate and try to endure to topple the regime.

Ko Kyaw Min Khaing || Resident || Rathedaung Township

Although it is the harvest season, there are also people who are fleeing the fighting, so the main concern is food. And now fuel is absolutely scarce. People in urban areas have suspended their businesses and fled to rural areas. Fires caused by junta artillery strikes broke out in Pauktaw and Ponnagyun Townships. These are very scary threats. 

What’s worse is that there are no more people in urban areas and there is a shortage of food products. This is a violation of the human rights of the Arakanese people. The regime has banned people from transporting food and medicine into Arakan State. In addition, the junta troops, who are threatening the public by firing heavy weapons at towns and villages, are seen as violating human rights and killing people.

Ma Oo Khaing Thein || Resident || Mrauk-U

Now, in some places, people have reached the point of starvation. As a result, there may be robberies and thefts. Food products are scarce and people will steal food due to livelihood difficulties. 

And people can become emotionally fragile. People are traumatized by fighting, then food crises and finally commit suicide, so we need to think ahead and prepare for the worst situations. During the preparation phase, people will need to stock up on whatever food is available. Poor people need to be provided for by the rich people, and if the fighting gets more intense, there will be a lot of food needs, so people need to be prepared.